Details

CPU Clock Rate

3.4GHz

CPU Temperature While Idle

27.0° C

GPU Core Clock Rate

980MHz

GPU Effective Memory Clock Rate

6.01GHz

Description

This is the machine I use for video editing and design at my work. When I first started editing I was using a Dell Vostro 260 MT with an i3...not ideal. When I started using the Adobe CS6 Suite, I quickly realized I needed some more juice. I've pieced this current rig together over the last couple years, so not all prices are recent (e.g. memory), and not all parts are going to make perfect sense, since I didn't know a bunch when I started the upgrade process. I also didn't necessarily go for best prices because at some intervals when I had the go-ahead for improvements; I didn't have the luxury of waiting for prices to drop. All that to say, I still like to think it's a decent rig for price. I did get a few rebates, so the price is actually a bit lower than listed, but I couldn't remember how much the rebates were for and what they applied to, so I left it alone.

Reason I'm posting now is I just upgraded the graphics from a GTX 560 and a crappy CM Elite 330 to a GTX 660 and an NZXT Source 210. I worked pretty hard on the cable management, probably 1-2 hours all said and done. I added a little HDD 'bridge' to keep the cables looking a bit cleaner, and mounted the SSD where it's more prominent. I included as many pictures as I could of the build process.

CPU: Purchased this several months ago. At the time it was a better deal than the Haswell equivalent, and I wasn't looking to overclock. It's super fast, and though an i7 would serve me much better in video editing, I can't complain; budgets are budgets.

CPU Cooler: The standard. I think I got it with a rebate, but can't remember.

Mobo: This motherboard absolutely rocks. I'm not using it to it's full potential, but I liked the features, design and reliability. Probably won't add SLI, but it's nice to have the option. Decent amount of fan headers. I like the simplicity of the ASRock "No-K OC" which overclocks non-K series chips. I know it works similar to Turbo, but not sure of the difference, so I turned it on. Threw in a pic of Prime95 and CPU speed. Most of the motherboard headers are in intuitive places and help with cable management. BIOS is awesome.

Memory: When I first bought a memory upgrade to that old Dell I mentioned earlier, I went with 8GB of Kingston Blu at 1600Mhz. Then last year, when I bought the CPU/Mobo, I added more memory...unfortunately I didn't pay super close attention to the specs and didn't get an exact match (new kit is 1333). But they still run in Dual Channel at 1333Mhz, so I'm fine with it.

Storage: Plenty of storage going on here, for video storage, scratch disks and whatever else. Added the SSD last year and really enjoy quick boots and snappy Adobe suite. No complaints.

Video card: Just picked this 660 up to replace a 560. Quite a bit more power and CUDA cores will be super helpful for the Adobe suite. Why did I not get a 760? Because I got this 660 for $150, and budget is king.

Case: Just upgraded to this NZXT Source 210, after getting fed-up with the crappy cable mgmt/aesthetics of the CM Elite 330. Things I like: awesome cable management options (from ample PSU area to more than enough cable tie-down spots on the back of the mobo tray), clean aesthetic is nice, and getting a nice window at this price point is a big plus. Things I don't like that much: no filter for front intake (I know it's normal with this price-point, but would've been super nice for NZXT to have included), and really small cutout for CPU 8-pin (like I almost broke the thing getting it through). Overall though, would definitely build in this again...we'll see how the dust collects. Added a four-pack of Cooler Master fans to get a wind storm going.

PSU: Just enough juice to get me by with this rig. I've got nothing but love for CX series. Would I be running something a little nicer if I could? Sure, but the price was right.

Sorry if this is a horribly stupid question, I am kind of new at this. But how do you have a window on the side of the case? All the pictures I see of the NZXT Source 210 don't have a window on them. And why add the front two fans if the front panel with the DVD drive and SD card reader cover them up? Thank you :-)

Typically, when the front panel isn't fully mesh, front intake fans pull air from the sides of the front panel. On the Source 210, NZXT left the sides of the panel slotted for airflow, and it ends up being plenty (although it's not filtered, as I mentioned in the description). If you look at that same newegg link, you can see how there's a cavity around the front panel, which is letting air through.

You've got yourself a nice build here! One thing that could've saved you money would be your CPU cooler. This isn't an unlocked processor so you could just use the stock fan that comes with the CPU itself.

Otherwise this is a pretty solid build for what it's going to be used for!

True, could've saved a couple bucks, but 1) the office doesn't have AC in the summer so it get's hot and I want to keep things cool, 2) I hate noisy coolers, and stock coolers don't favor locked processors, and 3) the budget wasn't so tight that I couldn't afford a decent cooler :)

I have to like this because it's essentially the same CPU/mobo I have in my main computer, last summer's build. I have the 3570K and the ASRock Z77 Pro3, but I haven't overclocked it. It's a good combo.

Idk if you still look at these comments, but I was wondering if you has a good amount of clearance from the top of the 212 evo and the side of the case. I am getting both of those(but not the windowed, same dimensions tho)